GROWTH-HORMONE STATUS IN 6 CHILDREN WITH FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME

Objective: Prenatal alcohol exposure may cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which is associated with pre- and postnatal growth retardation. Materials and methods: Spontaneous 24-h growth hormone (GH) secretion was measured in six prepubertal short children with FAS (two boys and four girls) aged 4-14 years. The response to a GH stimulation test, a nd levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-binding prot ein-3 (IGFBP-3) were also measured. Comparisons were made between the children with FAS and healthy children of both normal and short statur e, as well as children born small for gestational age (SGA). Results: There were no differences in the mean area under the curve above the b aseline or the maximum level of GH during a 24-h period (GH(max)) betw een the children with FAS and the reference groups. However, the estim ated rate of spontaneous 24-h GH secretion in children with FAS was si milar to that of children born SGA, but lower than in children of norm al stature (p = 0.02). The plasma concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were in the lower parts of the normal range. Conclusion: We conclude t hat GH secretion in short children with FAS is similar to that in shor t children born SGA; that is, in the lower range of normal children.